Ex-Man City star dedicates goal to Jota after scoring against Guardiola's team

Former Liverpool midfielder James Milner dedicated his goal to his former teammate Diogo Jota after equalising from the spot in Brighton’s triumph over Manchester City.

Milner, who played for City himself, equalised after Erling Haaland had opened the scoring for Pep Guardiola’s side before young German midfielder Brajan Gruda scored the winner for the Seagulls late in the game.

After scoring in the 67th minute, Milner imitated the video game celebration popularised by Jota to commemorate his former teammate who died in a car crash, alongside his brother Andre Silva, on July 3rd.

Speaking after the match, the 39-year-old, whose goal made him the second-oldest scorer in Premier League history, behind Teddy Sheringham (39 years, 239 days old), confirmed that the celebration was indeed in memory of Jota.

"Obviously Jots meant so much to everyone. It is an honour to wear his number this season. I have seen him doing it [the celebration], and it was probably a bad impression by me,” he told Sky Sports, per the BBC.

 "It was horrific [what happened to him]. He was a great guy and a great team-mate. I loved him as both. I've not scored [in the Premier League] for six years and I was wearing his number. Obviously I've got help from the great man."

Speaking about their win, Milner regrets that it comes ahead of the international break, worrying that the intermission could affect their form.

"Unfortunately, we have the international break. We'd have liked to have carried on the momentum. The boys did a good job at keeping it to 1-0 [when I came on]. I was trying to stay calm [for the penalty], and I have taken penalties before when I have come off the bench. It's not the easiest thing, but I hope my years of experience helped."